Smoker&#39;s ash receiver and holder for riding saddles



R. A. BROWN July 29, 1969 SIOKER'S ASH RECEIVER AND HOLDER FOR RIDING SADDLES Filed March 2, 1967 Lat/go Knpor Robert A. Bro wn I IN V ENTOR. BY Wm United States Patent 3,457,702 SMOKERS ASH RECEIVER AND HOLDER FOR RIDlNG SADDLES For attachment to a riding saddle (1) a smokers refuse or ash receiver and (2) a fire-resistant leather holder therefor. The holder embodies a pliant adapter panel which can be temporarily tied near the pommel by existing saddle strings, or, alternatively screwed or otherwise suitably but positively secured on the skirt of the saddle. The receiver, a suitably deep fireproof box, is removably fitted in pouch. It has an airtight but detachable lid provided with a male snap fastener which can be separably joined to a female snap-fastener on the adapter panel, whereby to temporarily store the lid in an open out-ofthe-way position, thus uncovering the mouth of the receiver for use by the rider while trotting or galloping.

This invention relates to a unique multipurpose smokers receiver and holder combination expressly, but not necessarily, designed and adapted to be attached to a riding saddle in a manner to enable the rider to cope with the often precarious problem of safely disposing of hot ashes, live cigarettes, cigars, matches, and litter while riding along a trail, particularly in a forest or similar area where smoking is known to be dangerously unsafe.

A smokers refuse receiver or ashtray, with or without a closing lid or cover, in combination with a holder capable of being suspended on support means of one type or another is not new. For example, the patent to Neale 3,166,080 shows an ashtray with lighted butt tamping and airtight covering and snutfing means in combination with a pan-like support and holder. The patent to Gay 1,499,452 shows a holder for attachment to support means which has a receptacle portion for an insertable and removable telescoping ashtray or receiver. The patent to McKinney Des. 196,219 shows a receiver and a paneltype support therefor.

Unlike prior art adaptations, such as above set forth, the present invention has to do with a riding saddle and an attachment, for example, a smokers refuse receiver which has been devised and effectually used to forestall forest and prairie fires and thus promote the conservation of forest resources. The uncovered open-mouth receiver is available while riding for safe disposal of matches, ashes, ignited butts and small items of litter that might otherwise be undesirably scattered along the trail. The specially constructed holder (pouch-equipped adapter panel) is designed and adapted to be mounted on a riding saddle (left or right) in front of the pommel and can, if desired, be fastened in place by existing saddle thongs or strings. Alternatively, it can be positively screwed and fixedly mounted. The rectangular fireproofed elongate box-like receiver is deep enough that the accumulated contents will not be displaced while trotting or galloping. When the lid is intentionally detached, manually offset and hung toward one side of the holders attaching wall panel and held by a novel arrangement of snap fasteners, the mouth of the receiver is unobstructedly open for accessible and convenient use. When the lid is unsnapped from the adapter panel and returned to its clamped-on receiver closing position, it renders the receptacle portion substantially airtight and smothers any live sparks or fire. The closed receiver can be lifted from the pouch of the holder means for convenient emptying.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming apart hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing significant portions of a conventional riding saddle and the attachment mounted on the left side near the pommel and which embodies the holder and companion insertable and removable refuse receiver, the holder being mounted in place with the saddle strings and the lid of the receiver being shown in its closed airtight position.

FIG. 2 is a view on a larger scale and also in perspective and which details the leather pouch-equipped holder and manner of mounting the same, with the lid of the receiver off and snapped in an out-of-the-way position on the holders attaching panel.

FIG. 3 is a section on the vertical section line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

And FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view on a suitably enlarged scale of the upper end portion only of the attaching panel of the holder.

With reference to FIG. 1 A designates a fragmentary portion of a conventional riding saddle with the pommel -B at the forward end and the corresponding end portion of the depending skirt C. The multipurpose accessory or attachment is operatively mounted on the leading end portion of the skirt slightly in front of the pommel B. The aforementioned component which is here generally designated as a holder is preferably made of fire-resistant leather or equivalent pliant commercial plastics suitable for durable outdoors use. It comprises two parts; namely, a vertically elongated generally rectangular flat-faced adapter panel 6 the forward lower half portion of which is provided with a pocket which is stitched in place, said pocket constituting a pouch 8 whose upper mouth is unobstructedly open. More specifically the side walls and bottom of the pouch are provided with outstanding flanges 10 superimposed upon the median portion of the panel and stitched or otherwise securely fastened in place. The upper end portion as shown in FIG. 4 is provided with a central disk-like panel attaching and retaining tab 14 provided with suitably paired slots 16 for passage of the dangling or free end portions 18 of the usual leather thongs or so called saddle strings. It will also be evident in FIG. 4 that the upper end portion is provided with a suitably centralized outstanding female snap fastener 20. The lower end portion is constructed and designed to provide a depending flap 22 having a keeper slot 24 therein. As will be hereinafter more fully understood this slot 24 constitutes and provides a latigo keeper. Before dwelling on this feature attention is directed to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 wherein it will be seen that the adapter panel or back wall of the over-all holder is superimposed upon the exterior surface of the side skirt C of the saddle. The upper disk-like tab 14 is lined up with the slotted portions 26 (FIG. 3) and the free end portions of the saddle thongs are passed therethrough and, in addition, through ornamental suitably apertured and sized leather washers 28 and 30. Accordingly, the panel is thus mounted or tied removably in place by way of the saddle strings 18. The holder in addition to the above includes a relatively short holddown or safety strap 32 which is riveted on the median upper portion of the front wall of the pouch as at 34 and terminates in a female snap fastener 36 which serves in a manner to be later described.

The holder can be fixedly attached by securing the panel 6 by adhesive media (not shown) to the exterior of the saddle skirt. Alternatively, screw means (not de tailed) can be employed to bring about this permanently attached usage of the over-all holder when, for example, the owner of the saddle desires to employ the depending flap 22 as an anchor point and suspension means for a latigo end, that is, a long strap such as is used on a saddle tree (not detailed) to fasten and tighten the usual cinch (also not shown). This is to say, the holder serves not only its holding purpose but is a combined holder and also latigo keeper which makes the holder novel as a unique saddle attachment.

A significant and perhaps the primary purpose of the holder is to accommodatingly support the insertable and removable smokers refuse receiver. More specifically, this receiver comprises a vertically elongated generally rectangular box-like container, sometimes referred to as a can and denoted generally by the numeral 38. This box-like container is made of appropriate thermoplastic substantially fireproof material and is such that it fits firmly but removably into the pouch so that the upper end extends slightly above the mouth of the pouch. The upper end of the box is provided with detents 40 which coact with detents 42 on the rim 44 of a bodily attachable and detachable cover or lid 46. The lid is shown snapped and retained in place, that is normally closed airtight position as shown in FIG. 1. When the receiver 38 is in use the lid 46 is bodily detached by unsnapping it and then mounting it to one side at the right as shown in FIG. 3. To accomplish this the central portion of the lid is provided with an integral upstanding male-type snap fastener 48 which is fitted removably into a complemental snap fastener 20 in the manner shown in FIG. 3. It follows that the cover or lid is snapped in a closed position and held by coacing detents 40 and 42 when the lid is closed. On the other hand, when it is desired to use the receiver for litter, hot ashes or depositing a cigarette butt, the lid is detached and then snapped to the out-of-the-way position shown in FIG. 3. This uncovers the mouth of the receiver and also exposes the inclined plate 50 at one end which is then capable of use if the rider desires to employ the plate as a cigarette snuffer and to then shunt the butt of the cigarette into the receptacle portion of the receiver.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the insertable and removable receiver 38 fitted into the pouch and with the bodily detachable lid or cover 46 snapped to an out-of-the-way position when using the receiver. On the other hand FIG. 1 shows the lid closed and FIG. 3 shows the lid closed in phantom lines.

The aforementioned holdown strap 32 is usable in the manner shown in full lines and phantom lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein it will be evident that with the lid snapped in its closed position the snap fastener 36 is then engaged with the snap fastener 48 just to make sure that the ash receiver is held aptly in place.

It is within the purview of the invention to utilize the slotted tab 14 and to tie the same by the saddle strings or to elimiate it entirely when it is desired to permanently fasten the panel on the saddle skirt. This is to say the panel 6 may be employed with or without the tab 14. Also the panel can be detachably tied in place with the straps or actually permanently mounted on the skirt particularly when the flap 22 is to be used as a firm anchor point for the aforementioned latigo strap.

While it is within the purview of the over-all concept to employ the over-all attachment, that is the holder and ash receiver as an attachment for some other support surface other than a riding saddle, it will be evident that the invention is directed primarily to the invention in the sense that it is a saddle attachment.

A riding saddle is equipped (either on the left hand or right hand side) with a readily applicable and removable holder and receiver combination and functions to lessen the number of forest fires and prairie fires in that the deep receiver with the lid off (FIGS. 2 and 3) renders the receptacle portion available while riding and promotes safe disposal of matches and lighted cigars and cigarettes. It is also satisfactory for use as a small litter disposal container. The attachment, that is the pouchequipped holder in combination with the receiver can be and is often mounted on the riding saddle slightly in front of the pommel and is optionally attached by use of the customarily existing saddle strings or thongs which are passed through the apertures in the attaching tab and roseate like ornamental leather disks as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the receiver is in use the lid or cover is bodily detached and snapped to one side in the open posi tion using the male and female snap fasteners in the manner shown clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3. Then, as shown in full lines in FIG. 1 and phantom lines in FIG. 3 the lid can be returned and snapped atop the box-like receiver and secured with the snap fastenenequipped safety strap carried by the pouch of the holder. The idea of being able to detach the cover or lid and to store the same in a positive open position (FIGS. 2 and 3) is an innovation. Providing the receptacle so that it is of the depth shown prevents jarring out the contents and facilitates extinguishing the lighted end of a cigarette and conveniently dropping the butt into the receptacle portion. It follows that when the lid is replaced the partially extinguished cigarette butt or any live sparks will be smothered. Then, too, the sloping live butt snuffing plate Within one end portion of the upper confines of the receptacle portion renders the same easily accessible for use while riding a horse and also facilitates piloting the live stub into the receptacle portion of the receiver.

It is within the purview of the invention to omit the attaching tab (at the upper end in FIG. 4) and to utilize fastening means of a suitable type (not detailed) for positively mounting the panel or back Wall of the holder permanently on the associated side skirt of the saddle. By fixedly anchoring the adapter panel the slotted flap beneath the bottom of the pouch constitutes and provides a keeper for the upper end of an adjustable latigo strap such as is (not shown) used to fasten and tighten the usual cinch (also not shown).

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a riding saddle, a smokers ash receiver embodying a vertically elongated receptacle open at an upper end when being used, said receptacle being relatively deep to guard against undesirable displacement of material deposited therein while the rider is trotting and galloping his horse along a forest or prairie trail, a manually bodily detachable but clampingly held lid cover ing said open upper end when the rider desires that the receptacle be closed, and a holder for said receiver embodying an adapter-type attaching panel superimposed and operatively mounted upon a predetermined surface of one side skirt of said saddle, said panel being provided on a lower end portion of its exterior surface with an upwardly opening pouch, and said receptacle being fitted telescopingly and removably in said pouch, said receptacle and holder being made of fire-resistant and weatherproofed material, said lid and a cooperating portion of said panel being conjointly provided with quick separable fastening means which permits the lid to be bodily detached and positively fastened in an out-of-the-way temporary position adjacent the open top of the receptacle portion, whereby to unobstructedly present the open end for convenient use.

2. The structure defined in and according to claim 1 and wherein the lid and coacting wall portions of the receiver have separable and readily connectible detents for retaining the lid in an airtight closed position when the lid is intentionally placed in its closed position.

3. The combination according to claim 1 and wherein the aforementioned means comprises a first female snap fastener fixed to an exterior side of a portion of the panel above the open end of said receptacle in alignment with said receptacle, and a complemental male snap fastener which is fixed to and projects beyond the median portion of the lid and which is adapted to be fitted telescopingly into said first-named snap fastener.

4. The combination according to and defined in claim 3 and, a holddown strap having one end attached to an upper end portion of a front wall of said pouch, said strap having a free end portion which is provided with a female snap fastener which is capable of connection with the snap fastener on said lid when the lid is in a closed position.

5. The combination according to and defined in claim 4 and wherein said panel has a lower end portion depending below the lower end of the pouch to provide a fiap, said flaps being provided with a slot and said slot constituting a keeper for a cinch fastening and tightening latigo strap.

6. An attachment for a side skirt of a riding saddle comprising an elongated leather panel having an attaching tab at an upper end, and a slotted latigo attaching flap at a lower end, a pocket-like member fixed on a lower end portion of the outer side of said panel and constituting an open-top pouch, and an insertable and removable smokers refuse receiver comprising a box with an attachable and detachable lid fitted telescopingly in said pouch.

7. The attachment defined in and according to claim 6 and wherein said detachable lid is provided with a snap fastener, and an adjacent median portion of said panel is provided with a complemental snap fastener whereby said snap fasteners may be separably connected with each other in a manner to support the lid in an open outof-the-way position if and when desired.

8. The attachment defined in and according to claim 7 and wherein said pocket-like member is provided with a holddown strap which is secured at one end to a wall portion of the pocket-like member, the other end of said strap 6 being free and provided with a snap fastener and said last-named snap fastener being optionally and separably connectible with the snap fastener on said lid when said lid is in a closing position.

9. An attachment for a side skirt of a riding saddle comprising an elongated pliant panel adapted to be operatively mounted on an exterior surface of said skirt and having upper and lower end portions and a body portion therebetween, said lower end portion constituting a flap and having a slot providing a latigo keeper, a pocket-like member fixed on an outward surface of said body portion and providing an open-top pouch, an insertable and removable riders ash receiver comprising an open-top fireproof box fitted telescopingly into said pouch, said body having an attachable and detachable lid, a first snap fastener fixed atop said lid, and a second snap fastener fixed exteriorly on a cooperating median surface of said body portion and complemental to said first snap fastener so that said snap fasteners are capable of being lined up and temporarily separably snapped together in a manner to support said lid in an open out-of-the-way position whenever necessary or desired.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 232,712 9/1880 Hastings 54-46 X 417,220 12/1889 Bell 22443 674,757 5/1901 Clark 54-46 2,100,023 11/1937 Brown 54-46 2,474,371 6/ 1949 Rushforth 131242 2,784,720 3/1957 Royle 131242 3,315,686 4/1967 Farhood 131241 3,319,605 5/1967 Early et a1. 54-71 FOREIGN PATENTS 882,593 3/ 1943 France.

ALDRICH F. MEDBERY, Primary Examiner Us. 01. X.R 131-242 

